Tag Archives: South Africa

As a representative of wapa.org.za I would like to take the opportunity of reposting this blog, which was contributed to by the exec committee, as a prediction of the IT landscape for South Africa in 2014.

One of the key objectives of the Wireless Access Providers’ Association (WAPA) is to add value to WAPA membership by providing additional services in line with both the growth of the industry and its members’ needs. The WAPA executive committee, comprising volunteer industry professionals, is therefore constantly monitoring the South African and global landscape, in order to understand the market context and drivers.

There are several technologies and trends in telecommunications and IT which WAPA expects to become even more prominent in 2014, including:

Penetration of and sophistication of smartphone and mobile applicationsConverged connectivity services Wi-Fi in various formsDelivery of value-added servicesWAPA predicts an ever-increasing penetration of smartphones as, on the supply side, mobile carriers will encourage uptake and consumption of mobile data by subsidising or leasing smartphones with contracts, and very affordable low-end smartphones will be introduced by handset manufacturers. Consumers will predominantly use smartphones for social media, mapping, web browsing and communications, but will however start taking advantage of the new ‘mobile-first’ functionality delivered by the private and public sectors.

Businesses such as banks, retailers, and even the government will begin to deliver services designed for a mobile platform, such as payments, coupon and loyalty applications and even the payments of council bills and traffic fines via mobile. For certain types of businesses, having a mobile strategy will therefore move to the forefront in 2014.

Telkom has long led the convergence charge, offering consumers and businesses bundled services comprising fixed and mobile connectivity. In 2013, they were joined by Afrihost and MWEB, both of which complemented their home ADSL services with mobile “MiFi” offers. MWEB has made public its intention to build a nationwide Wi-Fi network and offer bundled home and public-access connectivity.

WAPA expects this trend to continue in 2014, specifically in the consumer marketplace, as these industry leaders are joined by others, and alliances formed between both incumbent players and upstarts or smaller, specialist companies.

Many analysts have already predicted that 2014 will be a breakout year for Wi-Fi in South Africa, and WAPA has seen this already taking shape internally. Wi-Fi can form the third leg of a mobile/home/Wi-Fi converged service if and when service providers are able to build open access carrier-grade Wi-Fi networks in high foot traffic locations. The recently announced collaboration between WAPA and the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is geared towards providing industry education to enable the building of such networks according to established best practices.

According to Effective Measure’s November 2013 demographics report, the percentage of South Africans accessing the internet over ADSL dropped sharply from 51% to 42%, while the percentage accessing the internet over Wi-Fi grew from 28% to 34%.

The smartphone proliferation will also fuel the installation of Wi-Fi networks designed to do more than just provide basic connectivity. In the past, consumers would have to search for relevant local content or check in on the likes of FourSquare to see what offers were available. New software solutions coming onto the market in 2014 will turn this equation on its head, allowing consumers to access local content and offers easily through the use of smartphone location in an intelligent Wi-Fi network.

This is just one example of value-added services delivered over smartphones connected to the internet. From WhatsApp and the big marketing push from Tencent’s WeChat this year, software companies will continue to introduce smartphone applications that deliver additional content over a data connection. In the residential space, expect to see content in the form of video-on-demand as Telkom is rumoured to be in talks with Netflix, and MWEB will begin pushing content from the Naspers engine to home-internet users.

South Africa can also expect to see ever-dropping broadband prices and faster speeds. While WAPA applauds Telkom for continuing to lower IP Connect rates, overall costs will remain quite high until ADSL line-rental costs are lowered, which is unlikely to happen in the short term. Since fibre to the home will remain an expensive proposition, high quality and high speed connections delivered by wireless ISPs (WISPs) will remain competitive and may even become more competitive relative to ADSL, as WISPs introduce better, faster, and cheaper connectivity products. This will lead to an increase in the rate of substitution away from ADSL.

The common theme in these trends is better, faster and easier connectivity which provides more value to consumers. Much of this will happen naturally over wireless, as wireless point-to-point links over licence-exempt spectrum offer a reliable and cost-effective way to provide connectivity to consumer devices either through Wi-Fi or SIM card. From WAPA’s vantage point, 2014 promises to be a good and exciting year for the wireless industry!

The latest Children’s Institute of South Africa costing report reveals in 2005, SA government was funding only 25% of the cost of implementing the old Child Care Act. Social welfare services for children are grossly under-funded in SA.

In the context on an on-going economic crisis and on-going high levels of unemployment, families are under material and psychological stress to make ends meet. Under these conditions children are at even greater risk of vulnerability, under-development, abandonment, neglect and abuse.

Growing the budget allocations for programmes and services that strengthen and support vulnerable families will lessen this risk and keep children safe.

The Children’s Act of South Africa is the primary law for realising children’s constitutional rights to care, protection and social services. It obliges government to provide and fund a comprehensive range of social welfare services for children and their families.

These include programme’s to strengthen families so as to prevent abuse, abandonment and neglect of children; protection and therapy for children who have been harmed; and alternative care for children who cannot live with their families.The seventh annual analysis of whether the national budget is adequate to fund these services is now available – You be the judge….See more at: http://www.ci.org.za/#sthash.kHHFmQXY.dpuf or view the full report on http://goo.gl/E30FKI

I thought I would re-blog this, appropriate when South Africa’s month of August is dedicated to Woman’s month, starting with Woman’s Day on 9 August 2013.

Historically, Woman’s day in South Africa is a tribute to the thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women, but now also extended as an appreciation of what our female gender is doing in our homes, government, sports and institutions.

WOMEN OVER FOURTY – A REBLOG – THIS IS PRICELESS!

Although this was a hoax that Andy Rooney presented his wit on the CBS News Show, 60 Minutes, concerning what he thinks about women over 40. The true version was an embellished version of piece created by Frank Kaiser, a columnist who’s Suddenly Senior articles are published on his website. The original article on http://suddenly.senior.com/in-praise-of-older-women/, where Andy Rooney received more praise than he did.

60 Minutes Correspondent Andy Rooney (CBS) As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, ‘What are you thinking?’ She doesn’t care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it’s usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. ;You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons, unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?’, here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage! Andy Rooney…at least Frank Kaiser, is a really smart guy!

Forward to five fine, fun, fabulous, fancy-free female friends over 40 or who have female friends over 40 and send to the guys too!

There is no disagreement that South Africa is a very sick nation, with the new elite being accused of “spitting in the faces of the poor”. A well written article and good read is: SA a very sick society in massive denial.

I follow Chris Greenland (alias ProJusticio ), an ex constitution court judge from Zimbabwe. He also manages the SA Liberation Initiative group on Facebook for practical proposals for a manifesto of change, the kind of change that will help people have work, housing and dignity.

This article has been selected as an Editor’s Choice report from News2.co.za. Articles are selected based on quality of writing, audience response, newsworthiness and originality, and is at the discretion of the MyNews24 editors.

This Article, is definately worth a reblog for conscious South African citizens who are willing to make the difference in our country.

In the spirit of what I am trying to achieve on the CyberAfrica blog, I am definately and humbled not to be in a vacuum, and must admiraly comment on how the local web in SA has gone viral in mass, on trying to counteract Crime and Corruption in South Africa.

There are many groups tirelessly and persistant in trying to stamp out the huge exponential rise in crime and corruption in our vulnerable country. From Facebook, Twitter, Websites, RSS Feeds, You Tube and many blogs, there has been a counteractive, counter resistance group, rise up from the people against all odds, who do want to make a real difference. A local blogger I can comment on is Jeremy Farrell.

It’s very encouraging to say the least, that we have reached a stage where crime and corruption are being reported and broadcasted live, where all have a say, and it’s comes with a warm heart to know, that most South African citizens are voicing their dismay and discontent about the unruly, including certain members and people holding onto power in our government.

Although the Clem Sunters and First Rand Founder Paul Harris’s (see Don’t Stress about SA) , paint a relatively positive future for our Economy, what is the point of having an economy when charlatan’s are eating away the very base and foundation of our community fiscal strongholds? Not being sinical but, how does it help comment on positive change in our country, when the moral fiber of our supposed leadership is being devoured and eaten away by greed, nepotism, undue enrichment,self entitlement and huge moral decay.

I truly believe that a “litmus test” to show how one’s government is taking a moral stand and accountability for it’s people, is measured by how it’s own people. less empowered ,community leaders and people are having to tackle more community responsibilities, and provision them by themselves,and need to be more aware and engaged. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If the government is losing it’s grip on providing a safe haven for it’s people, the people will create one by themselves. This has been seen time and time again in 3rd World countries, but here comes the advent of easily, fast and available technology, individuals are now empowered to make a difference, good or bad…”The Good Digital Divide” is happening and let’s pray “the good” prevails and grows from strength to strength.

A had a few exciting developments started in 2007, with the warfare and sabotage on corruption and these forces becoming more apparent on our radar screens, the Net tools (weapons and ammunition) have exponentionally evolved in SA. One of the catalysts, I need to mention is from Graham Power‘s planting a seed by sharing his personal and spiritual vindication, with http://www.unashamedlyethical.com. This organisation creating a business leaders pledge and awareness campaign, promoting a Christian ethos against unethical business practice asking owners and customers to join the rise up against this Samson called corruption.

The SARS has been on the ball a web link for anybody to report any suspicious business or fraudulent activity on www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=218. Then followed by a direct live community based interactive reporting portal which was originally (and ironically) for traffic fine camera warnings, to prevent the public from being speed trapped or held up at a police road block. It has now evolved into a full blown community driven crime and corruption broadcast, live from all walks (literally from mobile phones) of life in SA including police and paramedics on the scene of each tragedy. “A community driven policing force”, if one would call it. See www.PublicServant.co.za and http://www.facebook.com/TrafficWC. It’s interesting, good always seems to rise above bad in the collective community sense.

Missing Children SA, started the good fight against human trafficking, to provide a structure of re-active support to the family, authorities and other NGO’s when a person goes missing; To provide pro-active national awareness to children and their families, media, authorities, communities and schools. – Missing Children SA is fulfilling a huge void, and has a highly important and powerful role in our society .

There are many to mention and too many to thank and applaud for this boom of social entrepeneurship, I have not even included The New Era Economic Rights Alliance which is fighting the good battle for everyone , seeking transparency in the banking and corporate sector in SA. Protecting you & I against unscrupulous financial corporates and conglomerates, who have, and are colluding and taking advantage of the ordinary man in the street, billing them unecessary, taking away their homes and life savings, in the name of greed and profit, all this by mere small written contract clauses,which surpass our basic constitutional rights. Have you known about a bank who will reach out a hand to us, during financial lows?…No, not I, just even to protect our family and provide a sheltered home, that is not written in the contract, sorry Sir, pay up or you and your family is on the street!

Then comes, Corruption Watch (CW) which was invited to make a presentation at the Institute for Security Studies’ international conference on crime and criminal justice on Friday, 26/10/2012

Within three days of Corruption Watch’s launch on 26 January 2012, more than 70 reports relating to metro cop bribery, allegations of nepotism and driving-licence corruption had been received from across South Africa, the presentation reads.

A total of 945 reports of corruption have been lodged with the organisation between 1 January* and 30 September this year, according to the presentation titled Citizens reporting corruption in South Africa: reports received by Corruption Watch.

http://twitter.com/Corruption_SA is one of the many interactive social media platforms, which gives the public a very powerful voice, it empowers our communities, gives us all a vote of confidence,a huge leap into the Digital Age, but most of all, proving that most out there have an inclination towards contributing towards social good, showing a geniune care towards our fellow beings, our neighbours, our watchers, our service providers, and of course protecting our family. The arrival of the neighbourhood watch are on Uber Digital scale has arrived! Even as I write this blog, Google has launched a Hurrican Map and reporting site for Hurrican Sandy.

The founder in South Africa of taking the community policing to the Internet is eBlockwatch, which is on URL: http://www.eblockwatch.co.za/. eBlockwatch has been very innovative in combatting crime and protecting our vulnerable citizens in a crime ridden society. From protecting tourists visiting South Africa, to tracking down stolen goods, and of course people, using cloud and mobile software tools, eblockwatch is a network of more than 83 000 South Africans looking out for each other and our tourists. There Facebook link is: http://www.facebook.com/groups/102575386217/

For the hard workers, who want to know that that their sweat & blood went into paying taxes for the right reasons, for the parents who are looking for their lost loved ones,for the community builders, for the police, for the security watchmen, for the paramedics, for the teachers, for our churches, and lastly for our government, society is becoming engaged in mass, engaged to protect and nurture one another . It’s simple, poor governance=corruption=disparity 7 disorder= break down of law and order= rise up of the masses=factions=unrest=protecting ones civil rights=creates solidarity = fighting for cause= protecting your neighbours=public engagement=collaborating=creating awareness = the peoples voice (media) =using the best tools and groups to go viral=using online social networking. And hopefully a democratic driven mediation for better governance.

So, whatever your cause is, online groups, social media can at least empower you or your social cause, to actively partake and polic your local neighbourhood, your community and in the case of South Africa at present, our government!

We hope and pray that the voice of the people, and technology brings a better future and equality for all in SA.

I will end this blog with the quotations on the Justice Project South Africa’s website: “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, all that is required for the triumph of evil is that good men and woman to do nothing, what lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.”

Something happened to me in the last three days. I landed up at a musical festival event over this past weekend, with over 10 000, 20 to 30 year old music fans, Rocking in the Daisies, in Darling near Malmesbury in the Western Cape. A 20 something guy walked up to me, while sitting having a relaxed beer with my better half, and while watching the live entertainment me he spoke softly as he walked by: “You could be my father…” I looked at him astonished, my instinct kicked in and I hugged him, and words I never thought I would say: “Of course, I would be honored to be your father”, the young man looked at me, at first with apprehension, then his eye’s welted, he hugged me tightly, and sniffed on my shoulder, saying: “I did not expect that response, I have a father, but he is has not been a real father, thank so much.”

Yesterday early morning at sunrise, I had an accident in the Planet Fitness, Parklands gym car park, where a vehicle swerved in front of me as I was aiming towards parking bay; I swerved, got blinded by the bright sunlight, and hit a tree, with huge impact and crash, with no seatbelt on. I got out of the car dazed from whiplash and concussion after hitting my head on the steering wheel, and there in front of me, while my adrenaline burst into my veins, was a meek young white man in his twenties. He was a street child I assumed, from his hardened and burnt white skin and dirty rough appearance. The impact was so loud, apparently like a gun shout that one of the young male gym staff shot out. The street child was just asking if I was ok, while the gym guy stood on the outside and looked on. The driver, who caused the accident, just drove off, saying he was sorry. While in a daze, I realized when I got out of the car to assess the damage, had locked my car keys in the car. I must have looked fairly helpless, until my adrenaline kicked in, and I started taking control again, saying I need a coat hanger, cloth and screwdriver. The gym guy said to me, “sorted sir”, and off he ran. The street boy immediately started using his nail clipper file, to attempt to open my boot. My first reaction was that he was going to try and rob my car. I walked up to him, filled with judgment, and said what you doing. He said: “Sir, I want to help you” My reaction again was, no thanks, I have assistance already, trying to get him away from my car, but he insisted, and said he will also go and look for a piece of wire.

He came back empty handed by the time the gym guy had brought the tools I needed, and I started attempting to break into my car. The street boy, stood next to me insistent to assist. I realized my concussion and adrenaline rush was not making it easy for me, and handed over the task to the street boy. He got into my car within two minutes, and said that would be R50 please sir. I did not have the money, but i looked at him, appreciative of his assistance, but something happened. I said: “Are you on drugs, why do you look so terrible (from past experience of drug pushes in the area) “No Sir he said, I live on the streets, my father is an alcoholic and my mother is dead”… cowering like a wounded buck, as his whole demeanor wreathed with fear, as though I was going to lunge into him. I just seemed to pursue my angle of questions, but realized, my words were not coming out of anger, or plain curiosity, but out of another part of me…a deep nurturing sense, I had not identified and fully embraced yet…

I landed up contesting the young street guy, about why he lives on the streets, he is healthy, fit, young, but a broken person…why? I was persistent to understand why he was a broken young man. It eventually transpired, that his mother, before she died, spoke to him, about to be careful of other people, and that he would need to stand alone in life, as people take you for a ride, as other people ruin people’s lives.

My life as a boy flashed by me…It made me think of my army years from 18 to 20 yrs old in the mid 80’s, of how I was thrown in a washing machine with a mixed bunch colored clothing with different textures,sizes, shapes and smells and spun around together, until settled.The drug peddler from Milnerton, who slept in the bed next to me, in our army bungalow, the gay, who committed suicide during our basics, the Jewish musician who had only socialized with his people, the Bishop’s boys, who thought they were entitled and privileged , the timid guy who cried for his mommy at night…the guy who did not bath and smelt like gorgonzola cheese, the bully, the joker, the “dik Boer seuntjie” who would wake up at dawn ready to herd his cattle. BUT…throughout the army training…we all were brought down to the same level, hair cut the same, ate the same food, shat off running miles and doing pushups and drilled all day, and became a solid team after 3 months, where camaraderie reigned supreme…we became soldiers…with a common goal…solidarity. We, together were the mother, the father, the boss, the candlestick maker, the farmer, the doctor, the court jester, the musician, the fire maker, the close friend…we nurtured and cared for each other, we began to look after each other as a close-knit family would. This was brotherhood.

It took me back four years ago, when I was broken adult, at the age of 40+, divorced, a kid on its way with an estranged pregnant girlfriend, whom I loved dearly at the time, and she did not love me, no job…broken-hearted, lost confidence, lost all zest for life, a lifeless zombie…

A friend and older mentor of mine, whom I had met 12 years prior in South Africa, an ex UK Army Colonel, reached out to me from Scotland, set up a project in Florida (USA), flew me over there, where I became the Colonel’s “bagger boy.” I rebelled, I shouted, as he kept put me under a strict disciplined regime…He treated me like a child…I thought…I was in Orlando USA, I could go and see all the Universal and Disney World class entertainment sites, The Space Museum, but no…I had to work up to 18 hours a day. Scrub the apartment, make the beds, wash the clothes, be the driver, be the researcher, be the assistant photographer, be the shopper, be the cook, make the beds, pack for long trips, be the co-driver, be the PA, be the correspondent, be the secretary. I was frustrated, I was sad, I was missing my family and friends, I felt trapped, my freedom revoked, I felt exasperated, like a petulant child. He made me stand in a queue from 4 am in the morning, to buy the new release of I PAD just launched, he was hard on me, but generous with pearls of wisdom…When I left Orlando International Airport, and Big Mr. Colonel gave me a embracing hug, and said I should be grateful… I could not understand this and the time…???I was just so relieved to be on my way home.

I came back after 4 months to South Africa, 20 Kg’s lighter, still pondering why my mentor and friend had turned on me. I did not contact him for almost a year…and then the last three days happened…

I was still going on at the street boy, in my concussed state, challenging him, why he cannot join the army, find a job, get off the streets, make a life for himself, find some sort of hook, to get him out of the pit he is in. His just answered: “I can’t, I need a place to sleep and money, even though I did two years of apprentice plumbing, my boss ask me to resign.” What, I said, are you sure you did not steal or take drugs to lose your job?…”No sir, the boss has a training Plumbing School called Monster Plumbing in Milnerton, and during your training you work as an apprentice for no pay, but when you qualified they don’t want to pay you.” I believed him, by the sincere look in his eyes, paused, while my head was thumping with pain, and asked him his name…Frederick. He said. I came on stronger, and more sternly, as my neck was going into spasm from the whiplash, my adrenaline still pumping through my veins …”Frederick, you need to get your life sorted out, I barked. Only realising I was talking about myself 4 years back…Frederick, you going to need a father…I said it. “I’ve already got one, all I need is money he said, talking back in a one sided dialogue, still anticipating a lashing from me. I looked at Frederick, knowing I had no money with me, but I knew…I had something more to give than money…I was getting impatient concerning Fredericks cry for money and glanced at the gym entrance, indicating I had to go. Then the gym boy took over the conversation, seeming to wait his turn. He stood there in tears and told Frederick about his father…who was a mentor…not his real father…who got his head right. He too was a broken young man before…

I listened, acknowledged, and said I had to go to gym, to loosen up my neck, as time was running out, and I had to get to work to a tough schedule that day. While I paced towards the gym entrance, I heard behind me the echo of the gym boys voice…”Frederick, you don’t realize what you have here, this guy you talking to is worth more it’s weight in gold…you must listen to him and stop asking for money!” I heard parts of the gym boys story about a mentor father figure had changed his life in the last 2 years, who had bogged him down with work and challenged him, when he had nothing…same story, different people.

I finished my swim, walked out the gym, and there was Frederick, sitting, facing and watching the entrance of the gym with his weary eyes. He approached me, head down, as I walked towards my car. “Sir, are you serious that you will stand in as my father?”; he said this with watered and weary eyes, looking at me deep into me with caution, but an innocence and sincerity, holding onto some sort of confirmation, a fear of rejection, fear of being loved…fear of being hurt, fear of being beaten, fear of being disappointed again…

I am a father, I have a 2 1/2 year stunning and adorable son, but I have become a father again, in a different way, to a twenty something year old boy…and I am ready and prepared to be a father over and over again, for the rest of my life.

We know we a father when we kneel to help a child…Our fatherly role is a gift from God, not only to father your own flesh and blood, as there are heartbroken hearted children in the world, who have had absent fathers or absent parents or were re-enforced with FEAR.

“A child identifies his parents with God, whether the adults want that role or not. Most people “see” God the way they perceive their earthly fathers.” ~James Dobson

Be a father, be a mentor, use the gifts God gives us, even if you do not have your own children, or if they are not your own children, share this immense gift… It’s like feeling the kiss of warmth of the sun on ones cheek, a taste and feel of God’s Heavenly Grace…

“What higher form of respect and love can you demonstrate than to put yourself aside and give nothing but a few minutes of your attention?” ~Chris Ewing

“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” ~Sandra Carey